Friday, April 5, 2013

Book Review and Giveaway, Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs

Why are dogs lives so short? It's a question that keeps coming up around me. And it seems I'm hearing even more of it lately... from an increasing number of folks whose dogs are dying too soon, including my Cosmo, who passed away from cancer recently just a few months after his 10th birthday.

So when I heard about Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs,I jumped at the chance to review it.  Afterall, I have a new, young pup of my own, and I'd like nothing more than to help him live the healthiest life possible. Read all the way down for a chance to win your own copy of the book!

The word Pukka, pronouced PUCK-uh, comes from the Hindi and captures the notions of "genuine," "first-class, " or "the best." It's a word, author Ted Kerasote says, he heard on so many climbing expeditions in the Himalayas. And as his new pup offered brilliant young-pup behaviors like "telling" Kerasote when he needed to go outside and following his nose back their motel room during their journey home, the name Pukka came to him. "Yes, in fact I think you're a pukka dog," Kerasote said to the pup, and there starts the story of Pukka's Promise.

Author Ted Kerasote and Pukka
After losing his beloved dog Merle, Kerasote searched far and wide to learn more about what makes for a healthy dog and what factors contribute to the longevity of their lives. He traveled the dog world in Europe and throughout North America, interviewing breeders, veterinarians and leaders of the animal-welfare movement. Kerasote used that information to help him carefully select his new pup Pukka, and he relives his experience in Pukka's Promise.

In Pukka's Promise, Kerasote shares what he learned about purebreds versus mixed breeds, vaccines, spaying and neutering, dog nutrition and cancer in dogs. He weaves the science and research he gathered into brilliant storytelling about his own life with dogs, making Pukka's Promise a compelling read from beginning to end.

Some of Kerasote's findings and choices may not be popular with everyone, but it's hard to deny that there's got to be a better way to help our dogs live longer, healthier lives. In Pukka's Promise, Kerasote takes you along on his journey, describing each experience in brilliant detail that makes you feel like you're along for the ride.

We're glad we took the journey with Kerasote and Pukka, and now you can too!

Win a copy of Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs

Enter via Rafflecopter, below, for a chance to win a copy of Pukka's Promise: The Quest for Longer-Lived Dogs (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, February 2013) by bestselling author Ted Kerasote.  Entries open until April 18. U.S. only.  If you can't wait to check out the book, you can order a copy here!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

We were provided with a copy of Pukka's Promise to review and give away.  All opinions expressed herein are our own. 


20 comments:

  1. I feed a grain free diet, give Romeo lots of exercise, brush his teeth regularly, and have him vetted for wellness checks.

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    1. I'm doing the same with Rocco... in fact, he's the first pup whose teeth I've brushed. He really digs the poultry-flavored toothpaste!

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  2. I hope my library has this book. Really want to read it. Hopefully if they don't have it I'll win it and can donate it to the library after reading it myself. Do so want Fenris & Tuiren to enjoy long happy lives.

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    1. I'm right there with you! Long live all our pets!
      Your pals,
      Diane and Rocco

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  3. Sounds like a super good book, I will have mom look into it :)

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  4. Just finished reading Pukka's promise and while I don't agree with all of it, it's definitely a well-written, thought-provoking book that's worth reading

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  5. I would love to read this book, I have heard great things about it.

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  6. Sounds interesting--dogs, like humans, do well on plenty of exercise and high-quality food. I don't know what the author has found, but I'd love to read the book and find out!

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  7. Excellent review. Very well-written. My mom is reviewing it too and has struggled with writing the review.

    Garth

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  8. The love and quest for dogs is never ending for me. Since I can pet one at home, I started walking & training dogs and now I have many pets :) Eager to read this piece by Ted.

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  9. High quality food and treats, along with exercise, brushing their teeth, and year vet visits help keep my dogs healthy and happy.

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  10. That book is on my ever-growing list! Everyone always raves about it!

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  11. I feed her quality food, see the vet twice a year, more if needed. get yearly bloodtests, monthly heartworm preventative, monthly flea spot, and keep her in proper weight for her size.

    Hugs,
    Pepper

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  12. I love reading good dog books. This sounds like one I would really enjoy. Just recently I read one, enjoyed it...all the way to the last page where I was left disappointed, by choice of words by the author.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. I feed my dogs good food and give them love and time to play. I also let them just be dogs sometimes by not imposing strict rules on them all of the time.

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  15. Was the winner announced?

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  16. I am thrilled. Can't wait to read the book. With Tuiren undergoing heartworm treatment I am especially concerned with keeping her as healthy as possible.

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